Monday, January 21, 2013

Wildlife [Dis]Services: more than a few bad apples

The USDA's Wildlife Services [sic] department has yet another reason to be ashamed of itself: this agent in Arizona who baited and trapped his neighbor's Australian shepherd, resulting in the loss of 17 teeth as a result of her trying to gnaw her way out of the trap, as well as damage to both her front legs. [UPDATED TO ADD: This is the agony millions of wildlife a year endure at the hands of trappers (government or 'sport'), and explain to us exactly how their pain differs from dogs? Yeah. EXACTLY.]

Animal Defense League of Arizona (ADLA) is breaking the story and urging people to get involved:

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please send a polite email to Wildlife Services Deputy Administrator William Clay at bill.clay@aphis.usda.gov and request an investigation of Russell Files for acts of animal cruelty.

Please
also thank the following agencies for saving Zoey’s life, and for
investigating and charging Russell Files with felony animal cruelty.